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Bregman’s home run lifts Astros past Dodgers 7-6 after Ohtani hits his NL-leading 32nd home run

Houston Astros' Alex Bregman celebrates after hitting a home run during the ninth inning of a baseball game against the Los Angeles Dodgers, Saturday, July 27, 2024, in Houston.
Houston Astros’ Alex Bregman celebrates after hitting a home run during the ninth inning of a baseball game against the Los Angeles Dodgers, Saturday, July 27, 2024, in Houston.Kevin M. Cox/AP

HOUSTON (AP) — Alex Bregman hit a game-ending home run off Blake Treinen in the ninth inning that soared over the left-field railroad tracks, and the Houston Astros overcame Shohei Ohtani’s National League-leading 32nd home run to beat the Los Angeles Dodgers 7-6 on Saturday night.

Houston trailed 5-0 in the sixth and 6-4 in the eighth before Yainer Diaz tripled against Daniel Hudson, and Jeremy Peña and Jon Singleton hit RBI singles.

Bregman hit a 1-0 sinker off Treinen (5-3) that traveled 407 feet for his 14th home run.

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“I was just trying to put something over the plate to get the ball in the air,” Bregman said. “Obviously, he’s a really good reliever, and he’s been for a long time. I was just trying to put something over the plate that I could swing at, and I was fortunate enough to do that.”

It was Bregman’s second career hit and first since June 27, 2018, against Toronto. It was his fourth hit in the final game.

“It was awesome,” Bregman said. “Just seeing the joy on everyone’s faces in the dugout was unbelievable. I almost passed out.”

Josh Hader (4-5) pitched a perfect ninth inning for the Astros (55-49), who have won three straight and 22 of their last 33 games.

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“Throughout the season, you always look back on the big moments, the big wins, the big games, and this is one of those that makes you think,” Houston manager Joe Espada said. “The way this team stays together and united and is able to pull through, it’s impressive.”

Los Angeles (62-44) has lost three of its last four games after a five-game winning streak.

Cavan Biggio hit an RBI double in the second and Ohtani doubled the lead in the third with a 443-foot drive into the second level in right, a 118.7 mph drive, according to Statcast.

Gavin Lux and Teoscar Hernández hit RBI singles in the fifth and Biggio homered in the eighth, his fourth this season and second with the Dodgers.

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Diaz, Peña, Jake Meyers and Victor Caratini had four straight two-out singles in the sixth inning against Evan Phillips. With two batters on base, Anthony Banda struck out Jon Singleton to end the threat.

Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said he could feel the momentum shift when he removed starter Justin Wrobleski.

“There weren’t a lot of misses, so I felt like Diaz had some good shots, and I felt like it was a good opportunity for me to put Evan in the game to put the fire out,” Roberts said. “Obviously, it didn’t work out.”

Wrobleski allowed two runs and four hits in 5 2/3 innings. Houston’s Ronel Blanco allowed four runs and three hits in 4 1/3 innings, tying a career high with nine strikeouts.

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Dodgers: Right-handed pitcher Walker Buehler (right hip inflammation) allowed four runs and eight hits in four innings Friday night while on a rehab assignment with Triple-A Oklahoma City. Roberts said Buehler will get one more rehab start “and hopefully he gets through the fifth and we’ll see where that takes us.” … 1B Freddie Freeman was placed on the family emergency list and C Hunter Feduccia was recalled from Triple-A Oklahoma City.

Astros: Right-handed starting pitcher Justin Verlander (neck discomfort) threw more than 50 pitches in the bullpen Saturday, Espada said. Verlander’s next step will be pitching from a game mound next week, Espada said. … Right-handed starting pitcher Luis Garcia (right elbow surgery) will throw a session in the bullpen early next week, Espada said.

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Astros right-handed pitcher Spencer Arrighetti (4-8, 5.65 ERA) was scheduled to start Sunday’s series finale against Dodgers right-handed pitcher River Ryan (0-0, 0.00 ERA).

AP MLB: https://apnews.com/hub/mlb

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